How to get rid of User Pics in the Start Menu

from JoeUser Forums

I hate those  pics which pop up when mousing over the right panel of the start menu in Vista and 7. This will work for XP as well.

I had to find a way to get rid of them. I think Giz told me how to do it, so I’m gonna share it with anyone who is like minded.

You'll need SkinStudio and Windowblinds, of course.

So, let’s pick a skin to change:  Alluminate 2 (7) (by vStyler). One I like a good deal, and it's one which I haven’t modded yet. Remember to save a backup copy of the skin you wish to alter!

Baseline, the Start Menu looks like this:     

Now, open the wbconfig window: 

and choose “Skin Options” and “Edit in SkinStudio”:

 

You’ll get this Choose the substyle you wish to edit:

 

And you’ll get this. SKS is now open:

 

Now choose “Edit Startmenu and Taskbar“(on the left) and “Edit Start Menu” (just below the picture of the skin) and all the way at the bottom, choose the “Extra Settings” tab. Now a window should open:

 

Now choose “Top Part” (on the left) and in the scroll menu, choose “Hide the user picture”. Just to the right of that scrolling menu, you’ll see a box “Enabled”. Check that.

Close this window, and the prior one. A dialog text should open asking if you wish to save the changes you have made to the skin. Choose “Yes”. That should cause SKS to close:

 

Now, go back to the wbconfig window and apply a different skin (if you had Alluminate applied before) if not, choose Alluminate2(7) and apply it. You should get this:

 

Voila… you’re done!

Just remember, when you do this you can reverse it the same way.  :)

38,604 views 19 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks for posting this Doc, I'm sure there will folks that will use this to eliminate the user pic on the Start Menu.  :thumbsup:

I find that the Start Menu is not on the screen that often and for those WB that have it I usually grab one the the wallpapers for the theme and use that.  Of course if you use DX, ObjectDock, Fences or Winstep than you probably won't be seeing the user pic much.   :sun:

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good info for folks.

 

You can also skip the last 2 steps. After doing the changes, hit apply skin on the top right when you have the section popup window open or in the file dropdown menu if you have closed the window. You will be asked if you want to save your changes. Click yes and the skin will apply.

Object Desktop - Get all of our enhancement utilities in one suite
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

While were at it, you can also center any WB's Start button in the taskbar in WBconfig > Advanced settings... for those who do not like a top oriented Start button.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Good info.  Thanks  

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Great input from two of the sooperest skinners around!

Thanks, fellas. :) 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

WB7 and SS7 are full of surprises ;)

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

oops double post :-"

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

sorry...

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Roloccolor, reply 8
or a simple easy solution for win7 or vista can be found here on post #7 called NoUserPicture http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/849176-remove-start-menu-user-picture/ 
Symantec is the only thing that says the file is infected with WS.Reputation.1 but all other antimalware solutions say its save scanned on virustotal and i use it also...here is the scan log
http://www.virustotal.com/file-scan/report.html?id=2f8f8aee542d79b439458e3c23fda0165e8265677fa59d74cf827178342f0648-1315853567#
PS you can recover the user picture : simply change your skin to aero in windowblinds and it shows again.
End of Roloccolor's quote

Why would you ever want to do that?

 

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting 2of3, reply 9
Why would you ever want to do that?
End of 2of3's quote

Some folks are are afraid to mess with SkinStudio. I had a little program that removed the user pix but every time you booted or logged off and on it came back. This is where I saw the solution: https://forums.wincustomize.com/399549

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Reply #8: That is one fine way to hose your OS when some windows updates come out. 

It is hacking your OS and will cause your grandchildren to give birth the 4 eyed babies. Any customizing method that hacks the OS to accomplish the task isn't worth it's weight in raw sewage. I despise posts that endorse it and any software that " does it for you ".

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Chasbo, reply 10
Some folks are are afraid to mess with SkinStudio.
End of Chasbo's quote

Tip (and I'm sure you know this Chasbo)..but for folks worried about using SKS, just make a copy of the original WB in a seperate folder, then you can modify to your hearts content and will always be able to restore the original.

 

 

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

John, I think you missed this in the OP:

So, let’s pick a skin to change: Alluminate 2 (7) (by vStyler). One I like a good deal, and it's one which I haven’t modded yet. Remember to save a backup copy of the skin you wish to alter!
End of quote

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I really think this is something that should be added as a Skin Option in Windowblinds. 

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
^ Very good suggestion, Karen.
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Im sorry didnt wanted to offend anyone with my post i know it can be done in skinstudio but its more complicated for "me and much more time consuming" than double clicking ***
@Phoon i normally do also but in this case i must admit i dont for me its like using ccleaner to wipe out old unused registry keys and i run fine with this method for quite long now if i had ran into any trouble or problems with updating or anything likely i wouldnt have dared to make it worth the post- but since i dont want to cause any trouble here i will delete my comment above and i apologize for my post. Would be nice 2of3 if you could also delete your quote thanks. PS to answer your question: i think its because im lazy.
I also agree with Karen a simple option in Wb would be the far best solution

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

That solution on Neowin ......posted by 'LoneRunner' ....one can't help wondering if that's THE 'LoneRunnr'.....Francis Gastellu ...;)

Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The nouserpicture.exe is 100% safe. I use to use it and had no problems with it. Now I just use the skinStudio method though.

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting k10w3, reply 14
I really think this is something that should be added as a Skin Option in Windowblinds.
End of k10w3's quote

I'll drink to that! :)